The North-South Divide.

I don't know how aware people from outside of England are about this, but there is a clear divide between the north and south. The government are always quick to deny this as it doesn't reflect well on them, but there is so much evidence of a divide.

Yesterday a map showing areas with the highest amounts of early deaths was published along with the relative figures. This map shows a very obvious divide between north and south, with the north being far worse off. I understand that attitudes in the north are different to the south and that that may have some effect, but this does not explain everything. There are many socio-economic factors at play here. A big factor is that spending has been cut harshly in the north right across the board, meaning that councils have less money to educate people on living healthily.

Transport is another area where there is a divide. Londoners have around £2700 spent per head on transport whereas those in the north-east have £5. Generally, the further north you head the less is spent per head on transport.

The majority of applicants to the two best universities (Oxford and Cambridge) are from the south. Although the universities are based down south so that will have some effect.

GCSE results are generally better in the south than the north, which naturally questions teaching standards and budgets.

A key figure is unemployment. Recently hiring has increased in the south while lay offs have increased in the north, at around four times the rate in the south.

So us northerners won't be educated, can't get from A to B, can't get a job and will die early, but don't worry, the government say we're all in it together.